Conversations With State and Local Inspectors Reveal Ambiguity in the Application of Food Safety Regulations on Small-scale Produce Drying Operations

Small-scale produce-drying operations face many barriers to complying with food safety regulations. While studies have explored those obstacles from a broader viewpoint, the perspective from niche food processes has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to administer semi-structured interviews with public health inspectors to identify (1) gaps in food safety regulation interpretations and (2) food safety education needs for small-scale produce drying stakeholders. The study revealed discrepancies among inspectors in "what to inspect" and "what to follow," and a lack of uniformity in which regulations or rules were followed. Additionally, inspectors reported complications in inspecting small-scale produce-drying operations. First, they expressed frustration with regulations related to drying because they said the language was vague or outdated. Second, inspectors expressed a lack of confidence in clearly and effectively communicating the importance of certain food safety rules to operations. Third, inspectors complained about the lack of relevant educational resources, which hindered the development of food safety competency. The findings emphasize the importance of technical support to address these gaps, offering specialized training and resources that enhance both inspectors' and operations' understanding of food safety standards, ultimately promoting greater regulatory compliance and safer food production.